President Obama's fundraiser for Sen. Arlen Specter last Tuesday came just days before news that the president was pushing for New York Gov. David Paterson to end his campaign for reelection. A lot of politics in just a few days, no doubt.

Hence the following exchange between reporters and White House spokesman Robert Gibbs today...

Q: The White House seems very involved in a lot of local races, maybe more so than usual. Do you get the sense that President Obama is more eager to participate in state electoral politics than --

MR. GIBBS: I would somewhat not subscribe to the notion that this is new.

Q: Pardon?

MR. GIBBS: I wouldn't subscribe to the notion that this is -- that the White House being involved in politics is -- it's a little -- to quote Paul Begala, not to be involved in politics would be like taking the math out of physics. You and I could do it, if that were the case.

Q: Are there any risks for the President in dabbling in various states?